VfB Stuttgart have confirmed that Dennis Seimen will be their first-choice goalkeeper starting with the 2026/27 season, following a successful loan spell with SC Paderborn. The 20-year-old will return to Stuttgart to replace Alexander Nübel, who is set to return to parent club Bayern Munich after a three-year loan period. The move solidifies Stuttgart’s commitment to youth development and offers Seimen a significant opportunity to establish himself in the Bundesliga.
Seimen played a key role in Paderborn’s promotion campaign, gaining valuable experience as a regular starter in the 2. Bundesliga. His performances reportedly convinced the Stuttgart hierarchy that he is ready to step into the starting role, despite his relatively young age. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth told DPA that Seimen is “not an experiment” and that the club is “fully believe[s] he is ready for the role as our number one.”
Wohlgemuth further highlighted Seimen’s ability to quickly adapt to new challenges, citing his progress through the German youth national teams and his successful spells in the third and second divisions. This rapid development, according to Wohlgemuth, has made Seimen an “influential figure” at each stage of his career. The club’s decision reflects a belief in his potential and a willingness to place faith in emerging talent.
Alongside Seimen’s promotion, Stuttgart have also added Marius Funk from Energie Cottbus to bolster their goalkeeping options. Veteran Fabian Bredlow will remain with the squad, providing experience and competition, while 18-year-old Fabian Hellstern recently signed a contract extension, indicating the club’s long-term planning in the goalkeeping position. The combination of experienced players and promising youngsters suggests Stuttgart are building a strong and stable goalkeeping department for the future.
Nübel’s departure leaves a void, but Stuttgart’s proactive approach to securing Seimen as his replacement demonstrates a clear strategy for maintaining a competitive squad. Seimen’s arrival could potentially free up funds for investment in other areas of the team, and his youthful energy may inject a new dynamic into the Stuttgart lineup.
